Men's Track & Field

MIT Runs Over Competition At Engineer's Cup

WORCESTER, Mass. - The men's track team blew away their competition last Saturday at the Engineer's Cup. MIT finished the meet with 177.5 points, significantly ahead of RPI's 129 and host WPI's 91.5. Senior star Uzoma Orji performed up to expectations with victories in the hammer, shot put and discuss. Senior Thad Wozniak also had a big day with 24.75 total points in seven events.

The Engineers also saw three of their athletes attain New England Division III Championship qualifying marks for the first time.

After finishing fourth in the javelin throw (130-09.50), Wozniak took first in the long jump with a qualifying mark of 20-09.25. Already having qualified for his shot put ability, freshman James Oleinik added the discus to his repertoire with a toss of 130-4. The last new qualifier was junior Spencer Dudley, who set a personal record in the 5000 meter run (15:39.37).

Following Wozniak's pole vault performance was Orji with a first place finish in the hammer throw (181-08). The meet continued to roll from there for the Engineers.

MIT took the top four spots in the triple jump, including sophomore Anthony Teixeira's 41-07.00 winning mark. Following the triple jump, Orji scored a first place discuss throw (140-08) and would later nab first in the shot put (16.78m).

Like the women's team, the men also displayed tremendous depth on Saturday. The Engineers placed three of the top five in the 3000 meter steeplechase, led by Chris Bruce (10:12.12). Tech toppled competition in the 800 as well, placing first through fourth with freshman Jake Ruzevick (2:01.48) taking the victory. In the 1500, senior Fivos Constantinou placed second (4:11.29) and was trailed by four teammates.

The 110 meter hurdles also proved to be a highlight event for the Engineers. Although sophomore Omari Stephens (16.37) was edged by WPI's Jay Hwang for first, Wozniak notched a personal best time in fourth place (16.71) and Teixeira came in at fifth (16.84).

MIT will look to have another solid outing on Saturday, April 15, when they travel to Bates College for a tri-meet. The competition against Bates, Colby College and the University of Southern Maine is set to start at 1:00 p.m.